Old Rovers Too Feeble?

[EricTyrrell]

"In the past I've driven and owned a variety of vintage 4WDs, from a Willys Wagon to a Land Rover Series, but they all proved a bit too feeble for modern day exploring. " -Matthew Scott


Don't seem too feeble to me.

 

[LR Max]

Bah. That is just an excuse to drive a vehicle with decent seats, sound proofing, AC, decent suspension, decent highway manners, and a sound system. I know, you get old and you just don't want to screw around with it anymore. I can believe that. I don't DD my 109 (well if I could find a job that didn't involve highway driving for like, 30 miles each way I would consider it, but beater sedans are REALLY good at that).

The last few trips I've been on, its been the D1's and D2's that have broken down. My 109 on the other hand, just fine. Got me there and got me back. One time it was 200 miles on pavement, next time it was 400 miles.

Also from what I've seen, the expo crew goes through trucks often. Heck they didn't have that LR4 for long and its handed off to someone else. That is a brand new truck. Same with the 109. Was around for like, 8 months. I mean, if you go through cars, you go through cars. Just admit that you want to drive something different every year. If you can do so, more power to you. I do not have that luxury.

That said, it seems like you either own a series truck for 6-12 months, or forever. That is really how that game is played.

 

[Howski]

I found that confusing as well. Pretty sure its a wash as far as creature comforts between an FJ 40 and a Series. It's underpowered and leaf sprung just like a Series too

 

[Desert Dan]

This thread should be interesting

Having had a Willys Wagon myself and friends that had Land Rover 109's I agree with Matthew Scott.

Toyota copied and improved on the design of the Jeep and Land Rover. Toyota over built the Land Cruisers and used good components (electrical, brakes, seals etc.). This carried over to the Hilux designs too.

 

[ZG]

 

[MattScott]

Also from what I've seen, the expo crew goes through trucks often. Heck they didn't have that LR4 for long and its handed off to someone else. That is a brand new truck. Same with the 109. Was around for like, 8 months. I mean, if you go through cars, you go through cars. Just admit that you want to drive something different every year. If you can do so, more power to you. I do not have that luxury.

That said, it seems like you either own a series truck for 6-12 months, or forever. That is really how that game is played.

I daily drove the 109 as my sole vehicle for a year—loved the truck, but as I said...it proved too feeble for my travels.

10 spline axles are scary, so are brakes that don't work very well in reverse.

 

[Desert Dan]

I'm no metallurgist but there was something funky with older Rovers steel.
I've seen steel wheels crack and fail completely, shift levers snap off and axles fail. I saw all this all on one vehicle. Probably 60 psi in 10ply bias tires didn't help with the wheels cracking.

I'm sure funny things happen with all type of vehicles and I have seen my share so I'm not discriminating against Rovers.

Anybody else have similar experiences??

 

[MattScott]

I found that confusing as well. Pretty sure its a wash as far as creature comforts between an FJ 40 and a Series. It's underpowered and leaf sprung just like a Series too

For the record, my Series rode like a Caddy compared to the FJ40.

The FJ40 is a lot faster though—but I have some engine work...

It's just more stout...

 

[tacr2man]

There is a vast part of the world where the"feeble old rovers" were the first car seen by the population . A lot of the problem with "breakdowns" on old landrovers is the feeble driving abilities of the users. Many of the old landies were greatly overloaded and abused all over the world , much as old landcruisers were later treated the same. What i have found is that more modern versions of the makes dont allow you the facility of "just keeping them going" . Exploring is exploring , things havent got any harder , but you need to know what length to push the vehicle to, if you go past that then you started with the wrong choice of vehicle. I drove many old 4X4 and bigger when they were new or so and they did what was expected most of the time, they just didnt do it as quick or as comfortably or maybe as economically as current vehicles , but how many "modern" vehicles will still be viable in a similar time period from now ? JMHO

 

[1leglance]

It is funny how we all justify what we want instead of just admitting whatever the plain truth was.

For me I bought my 70 Burb because I love the look of my 72 chevy truck I got from my grandfather, it has a ton of interior space, is dead simple to fix and makes me smile every time I walk outside.
To improve the comfort and capability it is getting a triple layer of sound/thermal insulation, got new seats, new window/door gaskets, and will get a diesel conversion to push me into the 20mpg range.
Great thing is Nick-Nobin here on Expo already has a similar 72 burb so I know all of this is very realistic.

I love old iron and I am glad to see a vintage FJ40 talked about instead of ANOTHER Rover or new Jeep.

 

[LR Max]

I daily drove the 109 as my sole vehicle for a year—loved the truck, but as I said...it proved too feeble for my travels.

10 spline axles are scary, so are brakes that don't work very well in reverse.

Upgrade! For under $1k, you can add a rear locker and get stronger axles and drive flanges. More ability (rear lockers bring so much win) and strength to settle the nerves. Also leg presses help with the brake thing. I can stop my 109 dead in its tracks in just about any direction. Except for barrel rolling down a mountain. But then again, I'd like to think other vehicle would also be vulnerable in this condition.

Besides strong legs are great if you decide to get into roundhouse kicking.

For the record, my Series rode like a Caddy compared to the FJ40.

That is rough dude.

 

[evilfij]

Old rovers are [almost] always broken, but [almost] never broken down.

 

[MedicalCowboy]

Besides strong legs are great if you decide to get into roundhouse kicking.
.

Did you take the Chuck Norris Total Gym work out class as well? I think I remember seeing you there.

 

[I Leak Oil]

I daily drove the 109 as my sole vehicle for a year—loved the truck, but as I said...it proved too feeble for my travels.

10 spline axles are scary, so are brakes that don't work very well in reverse.

People upgrade axles and brakes all the time on other brands. But here on Toyexpo that's reason enough to crap on Landrover yet again. I read the article. Its content seems to sit in negative personal judgement of Landrover more than it is about the excitement of owning a new classic vehicle.
Shortcomings are overcome all the time with other makes by modifying or adding or bolting on stuff. For some reason this site sees any shortcoming of a rover product as the be all end all of the brand.
Perhaps its not the rover that is too feeble.....

 

[slcrover]

^ couldn't have said it better myself.... If I had to drive around the world tomorrow, I'd take my 1956 series 1... Without question... It wouldn't be comfortable, but I know it would make it...... These old Landies worked fine for the Oxford and Cambridge guys and for Barbara Toy. Why wouldn't they cut it by today's standards?